Union ballot advice

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 1

Union ballot advice

• Parliamentary reporter The Labour Department has published a glossy brochure on a new subject — voluntary unionism. The brochure is being circulated to departmental regional offices at the same time as the Minister of Labour, Mr Bolger, is considering abolition of the unqualified preference clause, which prevents employment of non-union labour. The Labour Department ■ denies any link between the promised Government review and the publication of the brochure. “It is purely coincidental,” said a spokesman. The brochure was planned last year to explain the procedure on secret ballots after the repeal of legislation for compulsory ballots on abolition of the clause. The leaflet is called, “Union membership ballots,” and sets out the means by which union members can hold ballots to overthrow the unqualified preference clause in their awards. “Under a 1982 amendment to the Industrial Relations Act, union members have the right to question the insertion of an unquali-

fied preference clause in their award or collective agreement,” the brochure says. It describes how to apply for a ballot, and the options for a postal or a secret ballot. “If 50 per cent or more of the valid votes favour union membership as a required condition of employment, then an unqualified prefer-

ence clause will be inserted into all the awards and agreements the union negotiates. “The identity of applicants for a ballot will not be disclosed to the union concerned but will remain confidential to the Registrar. “Union members can apply for a ballot at any time,” the brochure says.